Thursday, November 1, 2012

Prepping is Ageless

A
question from a reader prompted me to write about this subject. So
often we forget that other age groups besides the 25-45 age range are
preppers. One reader posed this question:

“What are we older folks on very limited incomes to
do? We can’t afford to go whole-hog on our preps, nor are we able –
physically or financially – to have a bug-out location or to outfit our
homes with elaborate security-enhancing systems. All I am able to do is
add to my stash of food and water a little bit at a time: a few extra
cans of food here, a few rolls of toilet paper there, one or two
freeze-dried meals and gallons of water a month are about all I can
afford. Please help with your advice on the most imperative preps to
make now, and then what to add as I can manage it. Thanks so much for
your outstanding and inspiring website.”

Firstly, I want applaud this reader for their wherewithal to do what
it takes to prepare as much as their finances can allow. We all know how
hard it is to make ends meet, and I do not believe that anyone can
purchase all preparedness items at once – it’s just too much of an
investment at once. Stockpiling food and items for your basic survival
needs a little at a time is the first step to getting prepared and the
best way stay within your financial budget. I want to encourage this
reader to continue on stockpiling a little at a time. Trust me, you will
have more than the average, unprepared citizen if you stay on the
preparedness course. As for suggesting any further preps, it is
difficult to do as I do not know how long you are planning on preparing
and what items you have. If you haven’t already purchased these items,
consider investing in the following:

I also wanted to mention that you can view the 52-Weeks to Preparedness series to view in-depth prep lists, preparedness advice on a number of different disaster situations.
The “greatest generation” is now at an age where their bodies have
weakened and they may not be able to do as much as they are used to. As
we age, one of the things we face is that our body just isn’t what it
used to be. We may have sustained injuries or wear and tear, we may have
a health condition, weakened joints, or we may have simply slowed
down. This certainly doesn’t mean that the senior prepper is a burden,
or that they shouldn’t even bother prepping. It just means that they
need to prep differently.
Joints may ache, knees may creak, and backs may not be as strong as
they once were, but by identifying your limitations now, you can take
steps to make accommodations for
them that will make life much more tolerable in the event of a
disaster. Levers and pulleys, wheelbarrows and dolley carts are just a
few examples of tools that can make life much easier – remember – work
smarter, not harder.
So how can we get older generations or even those with special needs
to take special precautions to be better prepared and ready for
emergencies? The first step is to be aware of the special circumstances that can affect a senior prepper.
Some seniors have chronic health conditions with special requirements. Medication should be stockpiled
for things like high blood pressure, heart conditions, cholesterol
issues, or diabetes, to name a few conditions. As well, food supplies
should be purchased with dietary limitations in mind. You would not want
to rely on high carbohydrate pasta meals for a diabetic or on high
sodium MREs for someone with high blood pressure.
A senior prepper, despite potential physical limitations, is far more
of an asset to any group than a detriment. People who have lived
through the depression know more than a thing or two about stretching
food. Our aging population is the key that unlocks the secret knowledge
of yesterday that has been all but lost. A woman who learned to sew on a
treadle machine, for example, will be the only one in the know if the
power goes out long-term. A man who grew up farming without diesel
tractors will have the knowledge of how to get those old pieces of
non-motorized equipment up and running. The senior prepper comes from a
generation who repaired rather than replaced.
If you happen to be a senior citizen who is preparing for the worst,
begin now to align yourself with a group – consider reaching out to
co-workers, congregation members and extended family. Keep in mind that
younger preppers may have the strong back to get things done but you
have the knowledge to teach them how to do it!

2 comments:

My stuff on lighting and energy:Since power outages are inevitable having a long run time flashlight is a good idea.Lowes has a 65 hour run time flashlight for under $5.00http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Flashlight-Mod-Increases-Run-Time-36X/?allstepI got mine in store. I also got one at Target.More:http://armageddononline.org/forums/threads/34318-Cheap-long-run-time-flashlightsOr go micro solar for under $50.00.http://www.instructables.com/id/Uses-For-Dead-Car-Batteries-And-Sealed-Lead-Acid-B/?allstepEmergency Led Lighting Made Ridiculously Simple:http://www.instructables.com/id/Emergency-Led-Lighting-Made-Ridiculously-Simple/?allstepNo batteries & no shaking or cranking:http://www.instructables.com/id/400-Farad-Super-Capacitor-Flashlight-Build-This-/?allstep

Hi... When I seen the title, Prepping is ageless, my thoughts went immediately to my grandparents who were immigrants to this country, whom came during the depression. To them, growing food, and caring for animals were a way of life. Food that was grown, was then then canned or put into the root cellar, eggs were gathered, used, stored and sold as was milk and butter. My grandmother had her egg money put aside for a rainy day. I learned much from my grandparents, that I put to use today. I miss the my grandparents to this day. I miss the older ones with so much to share. Now I am one of the grandmothers and I share what they taught me. Thanks for a wonderful helpful site.